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What Richard saw:
Category: 3
Result: Mid-pack
Stage 1 - Hilly TT, 49m43s, 27th
It was nice to have a relaxing start to a race day with a normal waking
hour instead of the usual 4:30am to get to the middle of nowhere for an 8am
start (but with the clock change and 8am start time, an early rise would be
required on Sunday). My start time was 10:43, so I got to the race HQ at
9am to get prepared, finding Mike Z. going through his warm-up. People
started to filter back after their rides while I was warming up.
There isn't that much to say about my ride. I rode hard, pushed myself and
worked very hard up the climbs, but there wasn't that extra bit there where
I could go really deep. My time was about a minute quicker than the
previous year, but I was disappointed. I wanted to go quicker, but I just
didn't have it.
Stage 2 - Flat TT, 15m28s, 15th
On this stage last year the wind was a big factor in the quick times
posted. This year the wind was less, and by the time the 3's went late in
the day, was even less. I rode 3 seconds quicker than the previous year and
again, was disappointed. What was great however was Chris picking me up
from the end of the stage so I didn't have to ride back against the wind
along the coast. I was surprised to learn when the results were posted on
the web that I was 15th on the stage. A relative improvement.
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What Matt I. saw:
Category: 4
Result: Mid-pack
This was my second year of doing this race and I was determined not to
have the bad luck of last years race.
Stage 1
The first stage was the mtn time trial. I knew the course from last
year. Getting a better time this year would be simply as NOT getting a
flat.
I opted to use aero bars for this one since there are just so many
places on the course where it is flat and rolling. The aero bars
definetely helped a lot. I got into a good rhythm right from the start.
I almost caught my 30 sec man on the first hill. The first hill was
uneventful, I was able to get to the top with no problems, unlike last
years flat. On the second hill, I got passed by two. What shocked me was
that their numbers were 106 and 108. I was 100, so these guys were fast.
After the 2nd hill it was fun rolling terrain and I was trying to push
the big gear the whole way.
I finished with a time of 50:12. A big improvement over last years time
of 1hr 6min (with the flat, took 10 mins to fix ).
I was pretty satisfied with my result, but after getting the placing, I
wasn't too happy. I placed 33rd out of 50.
Stage 2
On to the 2nd TT which is all flat with a small rise in the middle. I
wanted to redline this one the whole way since it was only going to be
6.8 miles. I got a pretty fairly decent warmup and was ready to go right
from the line. Like last year, we had a nice tailwind. I definetely felt
a lot stronger over this course than last year. I didn't get passed by
anyone and I didn't pass anyone. I had a bit of a problem pushing the
big gear on the last mile or so. I was dissapointed that the race
promoters didn't put up signs like they said they would-mileage signs
with 3 mi to go 2 mi to go....but I had a pretty good idea of the finish
line. I crossed at 15:46. A big improvement over last years' 17:15.
Placing was 33rd AGAIN. Ugh.
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